Improvement in boot and shoe stretchers



. J. nous.

Boot and Shoe Stretchers.

No. 142,710, Pdtehted September9,1873.

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

JOEL LYONS, OF GHIPPEWA, CANADA.

IMPROVEMENT IN BOOT AND SHOE STRETCHERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 142,710, datedSeptember 9, 1873; application filed March 17, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOEL LYoNs, of Chippewa, in the county of Wellandand Dominion of Canada, have invented a new and useful Improvement inBoot and Shoe Stretchers; and I do declare that the following is a trueand accurate description thereof, reference being had to theaccompanying drawingsand to the letters of reference marked thereon, andbeing a part of this specification, in which Figure 1. is a longitudinalvertical section through the center. Fig. 2 is a horizontalcross-section. Fig. 3 is a cross-section, showing manner of joining toeand heel part.

Like letters refer to like parts in each figure.

The nature of this invention relates to a device for the purpose ofstretching the foot of a boot or shoe in any direction, as may bedesired. The invention consists in the peculiar construction of theparts and their arrange ment to accomplish the desired purpose, as

more fully hereinafter described.

.-:In the drawing, A is a metal plate, attached to the bottom of theheel part of the last, confining the notched bar 13, which works in thegroove S cut in the under side of the last. The heel-plate G is attachedto the end of the bar 13, and in working presses against the stiffenerof the boot or shoe, forcing the toe part forward. D is the power-lever,which works on the fulcrum E, and is provided with a slot, F, for thepurpose of connecting or disconnecting the lever with the bar B bysimply raising or lowering it. H is a ratchet working upon the notchedbar, and holding it from working forward when the power is applied bythe lever. The toe part K is movable, and attached to the heel part L bythe dowel M, which fits into the dowel-plate O, fastened to the heelpart by screws. The instepleather R, which is slotted, and side piecesP, are movable, for the purposes hereinafter specified. T is a movablecorn or bunion at tachment, which can be placed where required.

In operation, the bar lies flat on the insole of the boot or shoe, and,the power being applied .by-the lever, the heel-plate presses againstthecounter or thickest part of the stiffener of the boot or shoe, and beingheld from work.- in g forward by a ratchet attached to the. last, andworking upon the notched bar, so that a continued power can be applied,thus forcing the toe part of the last forward, and stretching the bootor shoe on a line parallel to the sole, and preserving its shape. Thestretcher is placed in the boot or shoe, and held from working forwarduntil sufficient instep or toe leathers are placed between theupper-leather of the boot or shoe and thelast; the lever power is thenapplied, forcing the stretcher forward between the sole and instep ortoe leathers, and, acting as a wedge, widens the instep or toe in themanner described.

Side pieces are also. attached, for the purpose of widening, using oneor more, as required, to acconnnodate the stretcher to the width of thesole of-the boot or shoe being stretched.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-- The last described, consisting of the parts K L, arranged asdescribed, plates A and O, notched bar B, slotted lever D, and ratchetH, constructed and arranged as described, for

' the purpose set forth.

JOEL LYONS.

Witnesses:

' JAMES STIFF,

JNo. S. MAOKLEN.

